Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in Punta Gorda, FL

Wendy North, Agent

941-764-7992

Motorcycle Insurance

Ideal weather and scenic views make Punta Gorda an exceptional place to ride motorcycles. GreatFlorida Insurance wants every biker to enjoy the adventure of riding whether you are an enthusiast or a novice. Being out on the open road in Punta Gorda can leave you exposed to bad weather conditions and drivers not watching for cyclists. GreatFlorida Insurance can offer you an affordable motorcycle policy to protect you and your ride in Punta Gorda.

Do you need Motorcycle Insurance?

YES! It's as critical as wearing a helmet.

Motorcyclists know there's risk involved every time they hop on their bikes, but that doesn't stop them from revving up their engines to feel the wind on their face and the rush of a good ride.

In addition to protective gear like helmets, there are precautions that you can take with you on every ride. You'll never even know they're there—that is, until you need them.

What is included in my motorcycle insurance coverage?

Bodily injury liability coverage: When you're involved in an accident, the first thoughts you have undoubtedly involve assessing if you're injured followed by wondering if the other person (people) involved are injured.

If you do injure or kill someone or if you need projection in a lawsuit against you, this type of coverage will protect you.

Collision coverage: Accidents may cause damage to your motorcycle. Regardless of whether that damage is your fault or not, you will be protected when you have collision coverage included in your policy.

Accessories coverage: Most comprehensive policies include coverage for your accessories. When this type of damage occurs (including damage to your helmet), this coverage will pay it.

Comprehensive physical damage coverage: Sometimes damage occurs from something other than an accident, such as theft or vandalism. GreatFlorida Insurance can provide policies that cover these damages too.

Unisured/underinsured motorists coverage: Unfortunately, not everyone carries motorcycle insurance. When you are hit by someone who doesn't carry insurance, you'll still be projected when you have uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage in your policy.

Do I need motorcycle insurance under Florida law?

Florida law does not require motorcycle insurance. However, if you are charged with an accident that causes injuries, you will be required to obtain insurance (if there was no prior policy in place).

What types of medical coverage exist?

Choose between medical payments, no-fault or personal injury protection coverage for you and your passengers.

What types of motorcycles are covered?

GreatFlorida Insurance can create a custom policy for you regardless of the type of bike you ride. From moped insurance to scooter insurance to trike insurance to dirt bike insurance to motocross insurance, Harley-Davidson Insurance, there is a policy to fit every biker's needs.

Memorial Day this year is Monday, May 27. It’s time to fire up the grill and hang your American flag. Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May. It honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

“Take a moment to give thanks and remember those who died in service to our country,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent auto insurance agency.

At 3 p.m., people are encouraged to stop for a moment of silence on Memorial Day.

What is opened and what is closed?

Most government offices and some private businesses are closed for Memorial Day. Banks, the U.S. Postal Service, the stock market and schools are closed or not in service. Most UPS and FedEx services are also unavailable that day. Trash pick-up varies, check your local provider. The DMV is closed, and courts are not in session.

Most stores are open on Memorial Day, however, Costco is closed. Good Housekeeping has complied a comprehensive list of retail and grocery stores, along with restaurants and fast food chains that are open.

Travel

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer and summer travel. AAA predicts this holiday weekend will see the most road-trippers on record with over 37.6 million hitting the road.

“Patience will be required with all the additional drivers on the road,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent auto insurance agency.

INRIX, a global transportation analytics company in collaboration with AAA, predicts drivers will experience the greatest amount of congestion on Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24 in the late afternoon as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers. According to AAA, Orlando and Tampa are among the top 10 destinations for travelers to visit this Memorial Day weekend.

This year’s legislative session has come to an end. According to the Tampa Bay Times, lawmakers passed 195 bills of the 1,861 bills filed. Some bills were successful and for most of the others- there is always next year. Below are some highlights.

Winners:

Property Insurance Reform-Property insurance reform, commonly known as assignment of benefits (AOB). It will primarily limit attorney’s fees in disputes over assignment of benefits between insurance companies and contractors and authorizes policies that aren’t subject to assignment of benefits.

“After a long battle against insurance abuse, there is a victory,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent auto insurance agency.

Transfer certain pre-lawsuit duties under the insurance contract to the assignee and shift the burden to the assignee to prove that any failure to carry out such duties has not limited the insurer’s ability to perform under the contract

Require each insurer to report specified data on claims paid in the prior year under assignment agreements by January 30, 2022, and each year thereafter

Allow an insurer to make available a policy prohibiting assignment, in whole or in part, under certain conditions

Revise the state’s one-way attorney fee statute to incorporate an attorney fee structure in determining the fee amount awarded in suits by an assignee against an insurer

Require service providers to give an insurer and the consumer prior written notice of at least 10 business days before filing suit on a claim.

Texting- Texting while driving will now be considered a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop a motorist for just that offense. It is also illegal to use or hold your cell phone while driving through a school zone or construction zone.

Ride Share-Ride share services such as Uber and Lyft can provide non-emergency trips to the hospital for Medicaid patients.

Losers:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)- A repeal to eliminate Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system, where drivers are required to carry personal injury protection coverage to help pay medical bills after accidents. “Each year an attempt is made to eradicate the old no-fault system and move to a bodily-injury coverage requirement, but it cannot get enough support from lawmakers, says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

Would you let your kid ride with a stranger? USA Today recently featured an article asking, “Parents, would you let your kid ride an Uber or Lyft by themselves?” Kids getting rides through ridesharing companies is a growing trend.

“Parents have an emergency arise or they cannot get away from work, so they turn to rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft to help them transport their kids,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent rideshare insurance agency.

While some parents feel this is a helpful transportation alternative, other parents feel it is too big of a safety risk for their children. The trend also goes against company policies. Uber and Lyft require riders to be 18 or older to ride unless accompanied by an adult.

“While not as popular or widely available, rideshare services are available to transport kids in certain areas of Florida,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent rideshare insurance agency.

Below is a list of rideshare services specifically designed to transport children.

Care.com– they offer transportation services at an average rate of $12 per hour. Safety and screening are left up to the person hiring. They are available throughout the state.

Moms Helping Moms– this service is currently only available in Parkland and Coral Springs. They offer door to door service and provide transportation for ages 4-17. Drivers are required to complete a variety of courses and certifications to ensure child safety.

Bubbl– is expanding in to the Emerald Coast area with service between Pensacola to Panama City. They hire active or retired military, police officers, firefighters, nurses and first responders. Their vetting process includes in-person interviews, criminal background checks, drug tests and a motor vehicle review. The minimum rider age is 8. Rides can be booked by phone or app.

Whether you drive full-time for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, or it is the source of additional income, make sure you are covered. If you are looking for rideshare insurance, contact GreatFlorida Insurance today.

“Towing a boat may seem simple but it requires more than getting a trailer and hitch,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent boat insurance agency.

Improper towing can lead to tipping, unattached cargo and cause serious damage to suspension and braking systems as well as strain to your engine and transmission.

Make sure to avoid common boat towing mistakes before hitting the road. Below are tips from goboatingflorida.com.

Disconnected brake lights

Always check the electrical connector to make sure your brake lights, taillights and turn signals are all working. Have someone behind the boat while you tap the brakes and use turn signals to make sure they are working. Keep an extra trailer light bulb in your vehicle in case the light goes out. Keeping the electrical wires taut at the right length will stop them from dragging on the ground and disconnecting during turns.

Forgetting about what’s in tow

No matter how strong your tow vehicle is, it will be less responsive once a trailer is behind it. You won’t be able to accelerate, turn or brake as fast, so be sure to look up the road and give yourself extra time and space to change lanes or slow down.

“It’s a good idea to take a practice run before you hit the road,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent boat insurance agency.

Ignoring your vehicles tow specs

Before you plan a trip, it’s crucial to know how much your vehicle is rated to tow. Don’t forget it isn’t just about how much your boat weighs, it also includes how much gear and fuel you have inside the boat. Even if you’ve checked the weight limit, always keep an eye on your tire pressure and temperature gauge. Installing a weight distribution bar system can help smooth out the ride and properly tow up to your vehicle’s max capacity. It’s natural to assume that bigger is better but check your tongue weight before purchasing the bars. When you’ve set this up properly the load bars will be parallel with the frame of the trailer. If you notice excessive bouncing between your vehicle and trailer, your setup may be incorrect.

Using the wrong size ball hitch

It’s important to use the properly rated hitch ball for your towing system. Boat supply store, West Marine, explains, “The coupler mounts and locks on top of the hitch ball and articulates around the hitch ball. Recreational and light commercial hitch balls come in a variety of sizes including 1 7/8″, 2″, 2 5/16″ and infrequently, 3″. Lighter trailers generally use smaller hitch balls. The diameter of hitch balls is fairly standard, but shank diameters and the hitch ball weight ratings may differ. The rating of the hitch ball is just as important as the receiver hitch rating.”

Failing to secure gear

Make sure to secure fishing and ski equipment, life vests, seat cushions and coolers before heading out. Fasten down anything vulnerable to blowing out of your boat while traveling down the road.

Maintaining your car can require a lot of time and money. “Regular maintenance of your car can save you bigger car problems in the future” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s biggest independent car insurance agency.

In fact, AAA reports that most roadside trouble is a result of neglect from car owners failing to perform basic maintenance tasks. While some jobs are better left to the professionals, listed below are some simple and affordable tasks you can handle on your own.

Jump start your car

It can happen when you are on your way out, your battery is drained because you left on the lights. Simply jumping your car can get you back on the road. It’s quick and easy. All you need is another vehicle and jumper cables. To start, turn off the engine on both cars. Grab jumper cables. Connect the positive (red) clamps to the positive terminal, one on each car battery. Throughout this process, do not let the jumper leads come into contact. Attach one negative (black) clamp to the negative terminal of the working car. Attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on your car that isn’t near the battery. Start the engine of the working car and wait five minutes. Then start your car. Do not turn off your engine.

Replace windshield wiper blades

Wipers should be replaced every six to eight months. You can pick them up at an auto parts store, online or a big box store. The store should have a manual telling you the type of wipers you need based on your car model and make. It is as easy as sliding them off and on, directions are included.

Checking car fluids

Fluids such as engine oil, brake fluid, wiper fluid and radiator coolant are essential to your vehicle’s function. Consult your owner’s manual to know how often to check your fluids. Park your car on a flat level surface and set the parking brake. Remember, always allow time for the engine to cool off before opening the hood. Many fluid levels can be checked using the dipstick included or checking the fluid reservoir.

Check tire pressure

Maintaining proper tire pressure gives your tires greater longevity, quicker steering response, a smoother ride and better fuel efficiency. Tiremaker, Bridgestone has the following recommendations for checking your tires. Gather the following items, a tire pressure gauge and air compressor. You can use an air compressor found at most gas stations. Check your car manual to find the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch of pressure). Check the tire pressure with your gauge. You can do that by removing the valve cap from your tire. Then place the pressure gauge on the valve stem and press down hard enough so the hiss sounds disappears, and your gauge provides a reading. With a standard gauge, the air pressure will push a small bar out from the bottom of the gauge. Measurement units are etched into the bar. A digital gauge will show you a reading on the screen. After checking each tire, fill to the correct PSI and repeat every month.

Recently in Pasco County, some inmates helped rescue a baby locked inside a vehicle. The parents of the child accidentally locked her in the car, leaving their keys on the front seat. A Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Inmate supervisor and five low-risk offenders repairing a parking lot meridian nearby offered to help. With a coat hanger and a special, “skill set” the inmates were able to open the door and retrieve the child.

“Thankfully the parents realized immediately the baby was in the car,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent car insurance agency.

While it seems unfathomable, people leave their children behind in the car several times a year. In 2018, over 50 children died in hot cars according to safety advocacy website, Kidsandcars.org.

The website highlights University of South Florida Psychology Professor, David Diamond’s work on why people forget and leave a child behind in a car. He explains it has to do with the complex functions of the brain. He states that the problem is the failure of prospective memory, the process by which the brain remembers to do something in the future. Professor Diamond says, “The brain memory systems that fail when people forget children in cars are the same as those systems that cause us to forget to shut off the headlights when we arrive at a destination.”

Several brain processes are involved with leaving a child in the car. Many factors can disrupt these processes such as stress, interruptions, multitasking, and sleep deprivation. Also, Professor Diamond points out, the lack of visual or verbal reminders increase the chance of a child being left in the car.

According to the FDA, “Drug expiration dates reflect the time period during which the product is known to remain stable, which means it retains its strength, quality, and purity when it is stored according to its labeled storage conditions.”

However, the FDA conducted a study finding 90% of more than 100 drugs, prescription and OTC were good to use even 15 years after the expiration date. While taking medication past the expiration date, cannot guarantee full potency, most of the effectiveness is retained.

Proper storage can help medication can retain its strength. Placing drugs in a cool, dry environment such as the refrigerator, will extend its shelf life. If left in a hot environment, such as your car, some drugs degrade rapidly.

Consensus among doctors is, expiration dates are very conservative to make sure you get your money’s worth. But, don’t be in a hurry to ditch your expired medication, save yourself some money. Tablet medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) can remain effective for years after being opened.

“While most meds are fine to use after their expiration date, that doesn’t mean they all are,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent health insurance agency.

The safety of expired meds should be considered. The FDA says of expired medication, “It also may yield toxic compounds, causing consumers to experience unintended side effects.”

Liquid medications deteriorate faster. According to Harvard Medical School you should avoid using the following medications after their expiration date.

Tetracycline (this antibiotic loses its effectiveness after expiration, though scientists are still researching this)

Nitroglycerin (taken as heart medication)

Insulin

Liquid antibiotics

GreatFlorida Insurance is committed to helping Floridians stay healthy. Our experienced agents can offer you and your family quality health insurance policies to fit your needs while staying within your budget. Call us at 888-478-7801 or go online to www.greatflorida.com for a free quote today.